The itinerary at a glance
| Days | Stop | How to get there | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Bangkok | Arrival at the airport | Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown |
| 3 | Ayutthaya (day trip) | Train, 1.5 to 2 hours | Temples by bike |
| 3 to 4 | Night train | About 12.5 hours | Sleeper berth to Chiang Mai |
| 4 to 7 | Chiang Mai | Night train | Old city, Doi Inthanon, elephants |
| 8 | Chiang Rai (day trip) | Road, about 3 hours | White Temple |
| 9 to 13 | Phuket, Krabi or Phi Phi | Flight | Islands, beaches, boat trips |
| 14 | Bangkok | Flight | Last massage, airport |
Why this route
It follows the most logical order on a map: the centre, then the north, then the south, and a flight back to Bangkok, where almost all long-haul flights leave. The night train replaces a hotel night, and the weather suits it from November to February, when the north is cool and the south is dry. In the rainy season (May to October) keep the same plan but consider the Gulf coast instead; see the best time to visit Bangkok. Entry formalities are in our guide to the Thailand visa.
Days 1 to 3: Bangkok and Ayutthaya
Give Bangkok two days: temples on Rattanakosin Island in the morning, Chinatown in the evening, malls and a massage in the hot hours. The timings are in Bangkok in 2 days; with more time, Bangkok in a week covers the other districts. On day three, head to Ayutthaya, the former capital, for a day visit, then return to Bangkok to catch the night train.
Days 3 to 7: Chiang Mai
The Bangkok–Chiang Mai night train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat in the evening and arrives in the morning; compare it with the plane and the bus in Bangkok–Chiang Mai: train, bus or plane. Once there, allow four days:
- Day 4: old city, temples and night market, on foot or by songthaew.
- Day 5: Doi Inthanon National Park, the highest peak in the country; the Doi Inthanon day trip from Chiang Mai is the most booked outing.
- Day 6: an ethical elephant sanctuary; the criteria for choosing are in ethical elephants from Bangkok and in our guide to Chiang Mai elephant sanctuaries.
- Day 7: cooking class, café or a free day; in November, the lantern festival may guide your dates.
Day 8: Chiang Rai
The White Temple is a day trip from Chiang Mai (about 3 hours each way by road), by bus or on a tour. Transport options are in Bangkok–Chiang Rai. If time is short, drop this stop and keep an extra day in the south.
Days 9 to 13: the southern islands
Fly from Chiang Mai to Phuket or Krabi (often with a stop in Bangkok: check the schedules). Bangkok-to-island journeys are compared in Bangkok–Phuket and Bangkok–Krabi and Ao Nang. Two outings sell best:
- from Krabi, the speedboat day trip to the 4 islands;
- from Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay day trip.
Keep two beach days with no plans. For Phuket, our 3-day itinerary and the best time to go help you pick your dates. If you prefer the Gulf of Thailand, Bangkok–Koh Samui covers the journeys.
Day 14: back to Bangkok
If possible, fly back to Bangkok the day before your international flight, not on the same day. For the last day, see your last day in Bangkok before the flight and the airport transfer.
Booking: organised tour or build your own
Two ways to travel:
- Build your own (our itinerary): you book the journeys and a few outings, which is cheaper and more flexible. For Chiang Mai, the best-selling outing is the Doi Inthanon day trip above; we could not verify its rating or review count here, so check them on the listing.
- Private multi-day tour (premium option): transport, accommodation and a guide arranged for you. In October 2026 the platform lists a private 10-day tour between Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai from about US$1,837 (shown at US$2,041 before the discount; to be checked). See the Chiang Mai 2-Day: Good Morning Elephant & Overnight Homestay. For a single comfortable journey, the private Chiang Mai–Bangkok transfer takes 9 to 10 hours.
Budget and preparation
The budget depends mainly on accommodation and domestic flights: details in the budget for a trip to Bangkok. An eSIM saves you hunting for a shop on arrival (SIM and eSIM). To stay in Bangkok, compare hotels in Bangkok.
FAQ
Is two weeks in Thailand enough? Yes for Bangkok, the north and one beach region, but not for the whole country.
Do I need domestic flights? A flight to the south is almost essential; the north is easily reached by night train.
Can I reverse the order? Yes: beaches first, north afterwards, if you want to finish with culture. Keep Bangkok at the start and the end.
What is the best time to go? November to February for the whole country; outside that period, favour the Gulf of Thailand.
Should I book tours in advance? In high season, yes, especially boat trips and elephant sanctuaries.
The Bangkok Authority editorial team
